Valiant final fight from Stanmore

Stanmore were beaten but unbowed after losing out to South Northumberland in the final of the Cockspur Club Twenty 20 on Sunday.

Marc Reingold's men stormed into the final after defeating St Just of Cornwall by 49 runs but were outgunned by 54 by the north-east outfit, who were inspired by skipper John Graham. Despite the defeat Reingold and his players have helped raise Stanmore's profile and that of Middlesex cricket.

After winning the toss and electing to bat at Cardiff's SWALEC Stadium, South Northumberland might have been regretting the decision when Stanmore wicketkeeper stumped Brendan Ford and Adam Heather, the latter for a rapid 30.

Graham (52 off 40 balls) steadied the innings, propelling his side to 130 for four with two overs remaining. He perished late on, holing out off Nick Goh (two for 21) as the Geordies made 142 for six.

Stanmore suffered an early set-back in their reply when Omar Anwar was dubiously trapped lbw by Stephen Humble with just nine runs on the board. Goh, who was instrumental in Stanmore's semi final triumph earlier in the day, then fell cheaply to Craif Smith's pacey delivery before Zawar Hussain (25) anchored things.

Stanmore were then at 32 for three after eight overs when Niaz Ahmed was bowled. Hussain kept on plugging away as Stanmore reached 51 at the halfway point.

However, Hussain was then sent to the hutch after Graham caught him off the off-spin bowling of Lee Crozier, which appeared to signal the end of Stanmore's gritty challenge.

Crozier bagged his third victim in skipper Reingold before Graham claimed the scalp of Niraj Jadav and later returned to claim a further two wickets as Stanmore were sent packing for 88.